FCAT

A new report concludes high school graduation tests in Florida and five other states are not "overly demanding" and measure only a small part of the skills considered essential by colleges and employers.

For instance, the report says the math portion of the tests includes material generally taught, internationally, in the eighth grade. It says questions designed to measure basic comprehension make up half of the reading portion of the tests.

The report comes from Achieve Incorporated, which is a nonprofit group that promotes higher academic standards. It has taken a look at high school graduation tests of Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio and Texas.

In Florida, students must pass the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test to graduate. They have several opportunities to take the test, which is first given in the tenth grade. The Achieve report concludes the exams in the six states cover "material that most students study early in their high school careers" and that the passing scores established by the states reflect only "modest expectations."

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